When we think about a vacation in Mexico, white sands, fruity drinks all all-inclusive resorts come to mind. Mixing between rich history and modern culture, Mexico is filled with amazing food, cool drinks, and friendly locals. Enjoying these things is great and all, but there's much more to explore in this beautiful country than meets the eye. Pyramids and the ruins that come with them usually coincide with Egypt, but there are just as impressive structures to see in Mexico.
Filled with architectural beauty, the 10 pyramids below are must-sees when visiting this country, based on the location a traveler explores. These ancient ruins are all over the country, which gives a traveler the opportunity to go back again and again to experience the historical value. The history and theories around them are just as interesting as the pyramids themselves and it'll give future travelers an idea to explore more than just the sandy beaches. There's a lot of flattering things about Mexico and where to explore, but the pyramids might be one of the best highlights of the country
10 If You're Staying In Mexico City, Visit Pyramid Of The Moon, The Second Largest Pyramid In Mexico
To start off, the Pyramid of the Moon is the second largest in Mexico and was founded by the Aztecs after Teotihuacan was abandoned. Speaking of, Teotihuacan is considered "The City of God" as it was active during the era of Christ. The actual pyramids weren't constructed until 200 to 450 A.D. and the way they were built was unique at the time. They were layered upon one another and were originally designed for the Great Goddesses. This is one Aztec discovery we're glad didn't stay buried.
9 If You're Staying In Campeche, The Kingdom Of The Snakes Is One Of The Most Beautiful Ruins In Mexico
Often dubbed as the "Great Pyramid" for it being the biggest on-site, beyond the beauty of the ruins, the lush forest around it gives it that much more appeal. In fact, this is considered one of the most beautiful pyramids in the entire country of Mexico. Calakmul, the city where it resides in, is counted as one of the reigning cities that faced constant war. These ruins are also known as the "Kingdom of Snakes," for obvious reasons. These ruins are a quick drive from Campeche, Mexico's safest state to travel to.
8 If You're Staying In Mérida, The Pyramid Of The Magician Offers A Look Into Astronomy Back To The 10th Century
Located in Uxmal, a little over an hour's drive from Mérida, the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán, lies hidden pyramids. Abandoned during the 10th century due to the Toltecs, the ruins were hidden for years. The unique aspect of this pyramid is that it aligns with Venus and the stairs are aligned with the sun's rays, which makes it known that this site has a very historical past.
7 If You're Staying In Mexico City, The Pyramid Of The Sun Was Believed To Be Used As Different Rituals For Magic
This pyramid is often seen as the most famous site in the Mexican pyramid history. Located north of Mexico City and a little under a two-hour drive from the city, this particular pyramid is called the "sister pyramid" of the Pyramid of the Moon, as it takes on the same shape and has tombs with different layers. This pyramid is the largest at this site and is believed to have been used to perform rituals related to magic in the bygone era.
6 If You're Staying In Cancún, The Temple Of Kukulkan Is Considered To Be One Of The Seven New Wonders Of The World
If travelers want to spend a day away from the white sandy beaches of Cancún, The Temple Of Kukulkan is definitely a sight to see. Located west of Cancún, the two-hour drive to Tinum is somewhat of a historical moment to enjoy. This pyramid is considered to be one of the seven "new" wonders of the world, as it was built to satisfy the God of Mayan. The construction was well thought out, as it was built in a way that when the sun sets in the spring, the shadows on the stairs look like a serpent.
5 If You're Staying In Tulum, La Iglesia And El Castillo Are Two Of The Most Impressive Pyramids To Have Ever Been Unearthed
These ruins are located in Coba, an ancient Mayan city, about 45-minutes south of Tulum. These pyramids are some of the most impressive pyramids to have ever been found in the world and were thriving as early as 800 C.E. Unfortunately, these pyramids are a bit run down and have been overrun by plants, but the mysterious vibe they give off is a highlight for exploration.
4 If You're Staying In Tobasco, The Great Pyramid Of La Venta Is The Oldest Known Pyramid In Mexico
This pyramid might look like it's straight out of an Egyptian desert, but it's actually thousands of miles away. Located a little over two hours away from Tabasco, the layout of La Venta was constructed entirely out of clay. Using that material, the building is very easily seen from far away. These ruins were one of the earliest known pyramids in Mesoamerica. The condition of the pyramids standing today is likely due to 2,500 years of erosion.
3 If You're Staying In Mexico City, The Temple Of The Feathered Serpent Includes Three Pyramids, A Palace & Two Ball Courts
Located only an hour and a half north of Mexico City, this temple might be one of the ritziest and is one of the largest in the city. The Temple of the Feathered Serpent split its time between being a religious center and a political center. Above being rulers of Teotihuacán, the men were also spiritual guides. The numerous ruins on site is a tell-tale that there were multiple, powerful families living here.
2 If You're Staying In Tizimin, Ek' Balam Is A Mayan City That Isn't As Heavily Visited As Others
Oftentimes, ancient ruins can be ruined with too many tourists, so it's a good thing that Ek' Balam isn't still 'untouched'. Located around 40 minutes south of Tizimin, this area is an ancient Maya town in the Yucatán Peninsula and when translated, Ek' Balam means "The Black Jaguar". Because these sites aren't entirely excavated, tourism seems to be kept at bay. Fortunately for archaeologists, there are around 45 structures in total, so as things become unearthed, the more there will be to explore.
1 If You're Staying In Chiapas, The Temple Of The Inscriptions Offers Incredible Ancient Architecture
A longer road trip might need to be planned if travelers are coming from Chiapas to see this ruin site, but it's well worth the drive. Dubbed the "Temple of Inscriptions," these ruins not only have history etched into them, but the elegant architecture is impressive. These pyramids are almost 90-feet in height that has temples to explore at the top. Throughout the temples, you can find Maya hieroglyphs, hence, earning its name.